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Feeding Frenzy (game)
Encyclopedia
Feeding Frenzy is an arcade-style aquatic game written by Sprout Games, and published by PopCap Games
. With an initial debut in 2004, it saw re-release on the Xbox Live Arcade
service, with versions for both the original Xbox
and the Xbox 360
. The Xbox 360 version, released March 15, 2006, was the 17th most popular Xbox Live Arcade title for 2006.
In February 2006, the sequel to this game, Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
was released.
. As smaller fish are eaten, the player's own fish grows in size and becomes capable of eating somewhat larger fish. By the end of each level, the fish is sufficiently large enough that it can eat almost anything on-screen. Players must be vigilant for hazards which include depth charge
s, larger predators, naval mines, radiation-poisoned fish, and jellyfish
.
If the player eats a sufficiently large number of fish in a short period of time, a score-enhancing Feeding Frenzy is initiated. If the player continues to rapidly consume other fish, a further Double Frenzy can be achieved. These both end when a short period of time without further rapid consumption elapses.
The full game includes both a normal mode and a "time attack
" mode.
version of Feeding Frenzy can be played online at websites such as the MSN Gaming Zone
, but has only a limited number of levels. The Windows version, Feeding Frenzy Deluxe, is available for download as a trial, with the full version available for a fee. Additionally, Xbox
and Xbox 360
versions exist. The original Xbox version is available via an Xbox Live Arcade
disc from Microsoft, or from Official Xbox Magazine
discs. The Xbox 360 version can be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace
, either as a free demo, or as a full version for a cost of 400 Microsoft Points
. This version is also included on the disc that comes with the Xbox Arcade bundle for the Xbox 360, alongside Pacman Championship Edition, UNO, Luxor 2, and Boom Boom Rocket. The Xbox 360 Pro and Elite versions include this version as one of the 16 game demos preloaded on the hard drive.
An arcade version was released by UltraCade Technologies which featured a ticket redemption system.
criticized the title's simple mechanics and overall lack of depth, resulting in a score of 6.6 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version. The review suggested that additional online elements could have helped with the title's otherwise limited lasting appeal. The TeamXbox
review also commented negatively about the game's difficulty and replayability, suggesting that it may be better suited towards children. Nonetheless, despite being somewhat shallow, TeamXbox concluded that the game was still accessible and fun, awarding the Xbox 360 version a 7 out of 10.
PopCap Games
PopCap Games is an American video game developer and publisher, based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka, and currently employs about 400 people...
. With an initial debut in 2004, it saw re-release on the Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
service, with versions for both the original Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. The Xbox 360 version, released March 15, 2006, was the 17th most popular Xbox Live Arcade title for 2006.
In February 2006, the sequel to this game, Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown
Feeding Frenzy 2: Shipwreck Showdown is an arcade-style video game involving the marine food chain. It is also the sequel to the 2004 title, Feeding Frenzy. The game was developed and published by PopCap Games.-Gameplay:...
was released.
Gameplay
In Feeding Frenzy, players control a hungry marine predator intent on munching as many other fish as possible. During the course of the game's 40 levels, you will switch off between 5 marine animals. The last level is where you attempt to dethrone a large shark, the "Shark King", using Orville the Orca. The player takes on the role of different aquatic species each trying to move up the food chainFood chain
A food web depicts feeding connections in an ecological community. Ecologists can broadly lump all life forms into one of two categories called trophic levels: 1) the autotrophs, and 2) the heterotrophs...
. As smaller fish are eaten, the player's own fish grows in size and becomes capable of eating somewhat larger fish. By the end of each level, the fish is sufficiently large enough that it can eat almost anything on-screen. Players must be vigilant for hazards which include depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
s, larger predators, naval mines, radiation-poisoned fish, and jellyfish
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. Medusa is another word for jellyfish, and refers to any free-swimming jellyfish stages in the phylum Cnidaria...
.
If the player eats a sufficiently large number of fish in a short period of time, a score-enhancing Feeding Frenzy is initiated. If the player continues to rapidly consume other fish, a further Double Frenzy can be achieved. These both end when a short period of time without further rapid consumption elapses.
The full game includes both a normal mode and a "time attack
Time attack
A time attack is another term for time trial. The term is commonly used in Japan for individual time trial events for motor vehicles that involves a vehicle running around the circuit in lieu of a qualifying lap and the term is widely adopted outside the country for tuner event and...
" mode.
Fishes
- Andy-The first playable fish. He is an angel fish. His only ability is a quick dash, or burst of speed.
- Leon-The second playable fish. He is a lion fish. While playing with Leon, you get the suck ability.
- Eddie-The third playable fish. He is an angler fish. The creators made a mistake in saying Eddie was a male, as only females grow that size and live that lifestyle.
- J.D.-The fourth playable fish. He is a john doryJohn DoryJohn Dory, also known as St Pierre or Peter's Fish, refers to fish of the genus Zeus, especially Zeus faber, of widespread distribution. It is an edible benthic coastal marine fish with a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin...
fish. - Orville-The fifth and last playable animal. He is an orcaOrcaThe killer whale , commonly referred to as the orca, and less commonly as the blackfish, is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family. Killer whales are found in all oceans, from the frigid Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas...
.
Availability
The free ActiveXActiveX
ActiveX is a framework for defining reusable software components in a programming language-independent way. Software applications can then be composed from one or more of these components in order to provide their functionality....
version of Feeding Frenzy can be played online at websites such as the MSN Gaming Zone
MSN Games
MSN Games is an online games site devoted primarily to casual games, both stand-alone and multi-player online games. Games are available in free on-line versions, trial versions, and full feature pay-to-play versions...
, but has only a limited number of levels. The Windows version, Feeding Frenzy Deluxe, is available for download as a trial, with the full version available for a fee. Additionally, Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
and Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
versions exist. The original Xbox version is available via an Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade
Xbox Live Arcade is a type of video game download distribution available primarily in a section of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360, that focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent game developers...
disc from Microsoft, or from Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine
Official Xbox Magazine is a monthly video game magazine which started in November 2001 around the launch of the original Xbox. A preview issue was released for E3 2001, with another preview issue for November 2001. The magazine is bundled with a disc that includes game demos, preview videos and...
discs. The Xbox 360 version can be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace
Xbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace is a virtual market designed for Microsoft's Xbox 360 console that allows Xbox Live members to download purchased or promotional content...
, either as a free demo, or as a full version for a cost of 400 Microsoft Points
Microsoft Points
Microsoft Points are the currency of the Xbox Live Marketplace, Games for Windows - Live Marketplace, Windows Live Gallery, and Zune online stores. The points allow users to purchase content without a credit card and to reduce the number of small credit card transaction fees, which Microsoft would...
. This version is also included on the disc that comes with the Xbox Arcade bundle for the Xbox 360, alongside Pacman Championship Edition, UNO, Luxor 2, and Boom Boom Rocket. The Xbox 360 Pro and Elite versions include this version as one of the 16 game demos preloaded on the hard drive.
An arcade version was released by UltraCade Technologies which featured a ticket redemption system.
Reception
A review by IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
criticized the title's simple mechanics and overall lack of depth, resulting in a score of 6.6 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version. The review suggested that additional online elements could have helped with the title's otherwise limited lasting appeal. The TeamXbox
TeamXbox
TeamXbox is a gaming media web site dedicated to Microsoft's Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms. While the majority of content is Xbox and Xbox 360 related, the site occasionally covers general technology and other video game news....
review also commented negatively about the game's difficulty and replayability, suggesting that it may be better suited towards children. Nonetheless, despite being somewhat shallow, TeamXbox concluded that the game was still accessible and fun, awarding the Xbox 360 version a 7 out of 10.